Lisa Angeles and her five children arrived at the Mayor's Back to School Fair at 5:30 a.m. Friday to avoid long lines and beat the summer heat. Three hours later, two of her daughters were inside an optometrist's camper inside the Centennial Building at Fair Park, waiting to receive their new —and free — glasses.

"I knew my older daughter needed glasses, but I had no idea the younger one did, too. She never showed any signs," Angeles said. "I've loved how they've helped us so far with everything that we need."

The annual event started 20 years ago with former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, who attended Friday's event along with current Mayor Mike Rawlings.

The fair helps connect families of children who live in Dallas or attend Dallas ISD schools with free health, vision and dental screenings; information about community services; and school supplies. They must meet federal poverty income guidelines to qualify for the supplies. This year's fair was expected to draw 35,000 to 40,000 people, organizers said.

Mayor Pro Tem Monica Alonzo said she was happy with Friday's diverse crowd, which represented the city's makeup.

"It's been fun," she said. "I've been personally involved in reaching out to people from all walks of life."

To receive the free school supplies, parents had to visit at least one booth in each of five areas: education, city and county services, health, community partners and social services.

Alicia Zapata decided to take her four children to the free dental cleaning booth.

"I told my kids they need their teeth cleaned, or else they are going to fall off," Zapata said, laughing.

Most booths centered on children's health and services, but others, like the NAACP, focused their efforts on registering parents to vote.

"We are doing this and also planning on going out to high school football games to register parents," said volunteer Linda Lydia. "We are letting people know that they have to change their voter registration every time they move."

The fair stretched into the Automobile Building, where parents received uniform shirts for their children and school supplies.